The best way to enjoy Yamaage Festival in 2023
Learn about the UNESCO-registered Yamaage Festival in Nasu-Karasuyama 2 hours from Tokyo. The best way to enjoy it, train times, and more.
Nasu-Karasuyama City
Highlights of Nasu-Karasuyama City
Nasu-Karasuyama is a small city surrounded by beautiful Japanese countryside 2 hours north of Tokyo.
It is mostly known for its ‘UNESCO World Heritage’ festival called the YAMAAGE Festival (click for the festival guide if you plan to visit), and is also full of things to do and see. Visitors enjoy cycling, making/buying Japanese Washi paper (wikipedia), visiting the Ryumon waterfall and the Shimazaki sake brewery (the CAVE brewery) that ages its IWC Trophy award-winning sake in a hand-dug cave.
The easiest way to visit Nasu-Karasuyama is by train. From JR Utsunomiya Station (50 min from Tokyo on the Tohoku & Yamagata Shinkansen ) take the JR Karasuyama Line and get off at Karasuyama Station (the last stop) or Taki Station (the station before that for the waterfall and cave).
If you are in Japan in late July and like lively festivals, you shouldn’t miss the Yamaage festival, but if you prefer to experience the peaceful Japanese countryside, then visiting in the spring and autumn seasons are also enjoyable.
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Access
From Tokyo to Katsuta Station.
- 2 hours by train. (Via JR Utsunomiya Station)
- 2.5 hours by car (Via Tohoku Expressway)
From Airports
- 3 hours from Narita Int. Airport (Car)
- 2h 30min from Narita Itn. Airport (Train)
- 2h 30min from Haneda Airport (Train)
- 2h 30 min from Haneda Airport (Car)
- 1h 50 min from Ibaraki Airport (Car)
Main Stations
- Karasuyama Sta. (JR Karasuyama Line)
Videos of Nasu-Karasuyama city
Yamaage Festival & Nasu-Karasuyama
A Day at Yamaage Festival
A Day in Nasu-Karasuyama
Ryumon Falls
Things to DO in Nasu-Karasuyama City
Ryumon Falls
Ryumon Falls (竜門の滝) is a waterfall 20 meters high and 65 meters wide.
There is a walkway that leads visitors down to the basin.
Beside the waterfall, there is Ryumon Furusato Folk Museum and a nice cafe. Inside the museum visitors can see a talking dragon.
Yamaage Kaikan
Yamaage Kaikan (山あげ会館) is a museum is dedicated to the 'Yamaage Festival' which is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The museum exhibits the festival floats and entertains guests with a 8 min recreation of the festival. There is also a shop which sells souvenirs.
Karasuyama Washi Kaikan
Washi Kaikan (和紙会館) is a building which has a nice Washi paper shop where people come to buy local handmade Washi paper and Washi products at a very affordable price. The paper is much higher quality and cheeper that buying it in Tokyo.
Rent a bicycle and cycle the countryside
Why not explore the Japanese countryside by bicycle? Bicycles are available to hire at the Yamaage Kaikan near JR Karasuyama Station.
Karasuyama Washi No Sato
Washi no Sato (和紙の里) is a 'Washi Paper Studio' located in the mountains.
They use traditional methods to make Washi paper.
If you are lucky, you can watch Washi being made or try contacting them to book an experience.
Shimazaki Sake Brewery
With a history of 175 years, Shimazaki Sake Brewery (島崎酒造) is cool brewery to visit. Some call it the CAVE BREWERY as it has a cave where they mature their IWC Trophy sake. You can drop by the sake shop and on weekends visit the cave. You can also book a private tour lead by the owner who speaks English.
Learn more about places to visit in Nasu-Karasuyama
A chat with Nasu-Karasuyama city tourism
Click to learn more about Nasu-Karasuyama from a chat we had with locals (the city's tourism office).
Interview
Nasu-Karasuyama and it’s Kabuki Festival: A journey to see Japan’s hidden gem
There is a unique street Kabuki Festival (Yamaage Festival) celebrated in Nasu-Karasuyama city each year in July as well as many other things to see and do.
Top EVENTS around Nasu-Karasuyama city
EATING in Nasu-Karasuyama City
Japanese Food
Nasu-Karasuyama has a few specialities. One is Nasukarasoba (なすからそば) local soba noodles. Another is Kamameshi (かまめし). And last but not least is Ayu Fish (鮎). Most Japanese restaurants can be found in the city center near the station.
Western Food
Nasu-Karasuyama has a variety of western style restaurants from Family restaurants (budget restaurants) to very popular steakhouse called ‘Clover’.
Ayu fish cuisine
Ayu fish (鮎) is a freshwater fish enjoyed as a delicacy, particularly during the summer months when they are in season. Nasu-Karasuyama is one of the top locations in Japan for ‘Ayu’. After being caught, the fish are typically grilled and served with salt.
Places to STAY in Nasu-Karasuyama City
Hotels (Western style)
There are not many Western style hotels in Nasu-Karasuyama, but one hotel that guest stay at is Karasuyamajo Country Club Hotel (map) which is located on a beautiful golf course 15 min drive from the city center.
Holiday rental (Airbnb)
There are several Airbnbs.
Want prices?
Find the full list of airbnb’s available at aribnb here.
Day trips from Nasu-Karasuyama City
Each of these places are within a day trip away. Click on the image to find out more.
Nasu-Karasuyama in the Press etc
Maction Planet
This Week in Tokyo, Karasuymama and Mashiko – 26 July 2022 (link)
Wikipedia
About Nasukarasuyama, Tochigi Pref. (link)
Japan Web Magazine
Top 5 Things To Do In Nasu-Karasuyama (link)
Japan Times
Subterranean sake: Cave aging Japan’s national drink (link)
TripAdvisor
Explore Nasukarasuyama (link)
